The Indians got another stiff challenge against the Gators but held on, 46-45, Friday at The Reservation in Day 3 of the McDonald's Invitational.

While Tioga came away with the victory, coach Lance Brasher was not pleased with his team's effort.

"That it was a grind out win is saying it kindly," Brasher said. "I thought our effort was absolutely horrendous. I thought out execution was worse than that."

The Indians struggled from beyond the arc -- hitting just 4 of their 20 3-point attempts, but made it when it counted most.

Tioga guard Jacques Clark hit a clutch 3-pointer with 1:30 left in the game to ensure that his team would come away with a victory. Clark scored 10 of his 16 points in the second half to give the Tribe the scoring punch it needed down the stretch.

A pivotal point in the game came when LaGrange guard Damon England picked up his fifth foul in the waning minutes -- leaving him with 14 points.

However, it enabled senior power forward Marcus Landry to catch fire with nine points in the fourth quarter -- including a 3-pointer in the final minute to cut the deficit to one point.

Tioga held on with tight defense late -- winning the battle of the boards and recording a big block in the paint for the victory.

"Christian Smith did have a very big hustle play where he recovered on a breakaway layup and blocked it," Brasher said.

The Indians will face Conroe of Texas at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in what should be another highly-contested game.